President Trump Modifies Proposed Deal with Iran

President Trump has intensified the terms of a potential framework to conclude the conflict in Iran. He has sent these revised proposals back to Iran for review, according to three officials.

The specific changes to the agreement’s text are not immediately clear. Concerns have been raised by Trump about parts of the potential deal that involve unfreezing Iranian funds. This approach draws a contrast to his criticism of President Barack Obama’s decade-old agreement designed to limit Iran’s nuclear activities.

Trump’s frustration stems from the prolonged response time from Iran regarding U.S. proposals. Intermediaries, including representatives from Pakistan, have been instrumental in shaping these proposals. According to one official, Trump’s newer, tougher changes aim to expedite the negotiation process by urging Iran to agree to the framework forwarded to Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, for his endorsement.

Given the difficulty in communicating directly with the supreme leader, further revisions to the memorandum of understanding might result in further delays. On a recent Friday, Trump engaged in a two-hour meeting with senior aides in the Situation Room to deliberate on ending the war but did not make any official announcements following the discussion.

The proposed framework seeks to conclude the U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran. In exchange, Iran would lift its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a significant route for oil and gas transport. This waterway was accessible for trade prior to the initiation of the bombing campaign against Iran, which commenced on February 28.

Some of the most contentious topics, such as the future management of Iran’s nuclear endeavors, would be postponed for future discussions.

The coverage of this matter involved contributions from journalists Aaron Boxerman and Farnaz Fassihi. Luke Broadwater covers the White House for The Times, while Ronen Bergman is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine based in Tel Aviv. Tyler Pager is a White House correspondent focusing on President Trump and his administration.